Loose leaf binder



March 28, 1961 J. POTTS 2,976,871

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 27, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I fw,,,,...,..,.

p 019 Q 'm 4 lllllllll i lllll I IN VEN TOR.

BY Jam Pam.

March 28, 1961 J. POTTS 2,976,871

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 27, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. John13 5f:-

LOOSE LEAF BINDER John Potts, Chicago,

pany, Chicago, 11].,

11]., assignor to Wilson-Jones Coma corporation of Massachusetts Thisinvention relates to a loose leaf binder of the type having oppositelydisposed sheet retaining prongs secured to opposite edges of centrallyhinged back sections, and is particularly concerned with means for meansfor opening and closing the binder to facilitate sheet changes.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior co-pendingapplication Serial No. 668,993, filed July 1, 1957, and now abandoned.

Loose leaf binders of the type to which the present invention isdirected are used extensively to hold sheets put out by various legalservice publishers, and mailed about once a week to subscribers of suchservices. The number of sheets contained in each mailing may vary from afew sheets to a few hundred sheets. The subscriber must insert the newsheets in the binder in the proper places, and must also remove thesheets that are to be replaced by the newly inserted sheets.

The sheet changes in legal service binders occur so frequently that postbinders are not satisfactory, and most publishers insist on ring orprong binders, although ring binders are generally limited to a capacityof about three inches. Although the loose leaf binder of the presentinvention may be made in a wide range of sheet capacities, the inventionis intended primarily for binders of large capacity, for example,binders having a capacity of from three to six inches. Binders of suchcapacity have considerable weight when fully loaded.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sturdy binder of largecapacity with as little weight as possible to facilitate handling of thefully loaded binders by the subscribers.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple and efiicient meansfor closing the binder and securely latching the hinged back sections toprevent accidental spilling of the sheets.

A further object of the invention is to provide easily operated meansfor unlatching the back sections of the binder to permit sheet changesto be made.

A further object is to provide a neat, attractive removable outer backthat will not interfere with the normal use of the binder and willprotect the binding material of the outer back and any lettering placedthereon against excessive wear by preventing sharp bending of thebinding material when the binder is opened.

A further object is to provide equalizing plates at each end of thebinder that will keep both outer plates spaced equally from the hinge ofthe inner plates when the binder is opened or closed, to prevent sharpbending of the binding.

The structure by means of which the above noted objects and otheradvantages of the invention are attained will be described in thefollowing specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention,in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder em- 2,976,871Patented Mar. 2 1961 bodying the invention, the covers being shown inopen position, and the sheet retaining mechanism being just releasedfrom latched position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the binder, with the latch justreleased from latching position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary and elevational view of the structure shown inFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 4, and taken generally alongthe same line, but showing the binder in latched position;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the equalizing plate;

Fig. 7 is a detail bottom perspective view of the inner back sectionwith the cover members hinged thereto;

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the outer back section of thebinder;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken along the line 9-9ofFig. l; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, showing the binder inopen position.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates an innerback comprising two plates 3 and 4 arranged in edge to edge relationshipand provided with integral hinge lugs 5 and 6, respectively, dependingfrom their adjoining edges. The offset of the hinge lugs 5 and 6 fromthe plane of the plates 3 and 4 produces an important beneficial resultin connection with the binding of the outer cover, as hereinafterdescribed. The plates 2 and 3 are hinged together by a hinge pintle 7passing through the aligned hinge lugs 5 and 6. The plates 3 and 4 areprovided respectively with integral upstanding abutments 8 and 9adjacent the hinge lugs Sand 6. Theadjacent edges of these abutments areadapted to serve as stop members when the inner back section is closed,to prevent the inner edges of the plates 3 and 4 from passing below thehorizontal plane in which the plates 3 and 4 are supposed to be confinedwhen they are latched in closed position.

The outer edges of the plates 3 and 4 are provided 9 V respectively withdepending flanges 1t), 11, upstanding projections 12, 13, and hinge lugs14, 15. It should be noted that the back plates 3 and 4 are identical incross sectional configuration. The back plates are made of aluminum, andare extruded in strips about to feet in length. The extrusion die is notshown, but it will be understood that it is provided with a mandreladjacent each edge of the discharge opening to extrude a continuoushinge lug adjacent each longitudinal edge of the back plate. lengths forthe back plates, and the continuous hinge lugs are then punched out toprovide the desired hinge lug structure.

Preferably the hinge lugs are of uniform length, but uniformity is notrequired. In assembling the back plates, one back plate is reversed endfor end, relative to the other, and the hinge lugs 5 and 6 at the innerlongitudinal edges of the back plates 3 and 4 fit together in axialalignment. The hinge pintle 7 is extended through the hinge lugs 5 and 6to hold the back plates in pivotal relationship.

The hinge lugs 14 and 15 at the outer longitudinal edges of the backplates are preferably spaced identically. A cover 16 has secured theretoa hinge plate 17 provided with hinge lugs 18 arranged to fit between thehinge lugs 14. The hinge lugs 14 and 18 do not have to be the same sizeor require identical spacing, as long as the spacing will permit them tobe axially aligned. A hinge pintle 19 extending through the hinge lugs14 and 18 pivotally secures the cover '16 to the outer longitudinal Thestrip is sawed into the desired edge of the plate 3. A cover 29 issimilarly hinged to the outer longitudinal edge of the plate 4. Thecover has a hinge plate 22 provided with integral hinge lugs 23. A hingepintle 24 extending through the aligned hinge lugs 15 and 23 secures'thecover pivotally to the outer longitudinal edge of the plate 4.

Each back plate 3 and 4 has a plurality of apertures 25 adjacent itsouter lon itudinal edge. Each aperture 25 extends through the projection12 or 13 and into the depending flange iii or iii. In Fig. 7 of thedrawings three apertures are shown in the plate 3, and two in the plate4. The longitudinal spacing between the apertures 25 preferablycorresponds to a standard spacing for sheets of a size to fit in thebinder. A plurality of sheet retaining prongs 26,, preferably ofaluminum, each has one end fixed in the apertures 25, as shown in Fig.9. Each flange 1t) and 11 has a dovetailed recess 27 extendingtransversely through the flange in lateral alignment with each aperture25. The lower end of each prong 26 has a transversely extendingdovetailed recess 28 adapted to be aligned with the recess 27 and form acontinuation thereof when the end of the prong 26 is positioned properlyin the aperture 25.

A wedge shaped spline 29 is fitted into the recesses 27 and 28 to securethe prongs 26 in place. The splines extend longitudinally of the flanges10 and i1 and are preferably of approximately the same length as theflanges. The cross sectional area of the spline equals the total crosssectional area of both recesses 27 and 28 to provide a tight fit andprevent the prongs 2s from wobbliug.

The prongs 26 may be staked in place in any suitable manner. Forexample, aligned threaded transverse recesses may be provided in theflanges 10 and 11 and in the prongs 26. Set screws may then be threadedinto the aligned recesses to secure the prongs securely in place.

The free end of each prong is preferably pointed, as indicated at 30, tofacilitate impalement of the sheets (not shown) thereon. The prongs 26are each curved arcuately so that the overlapped portions thereof arealways in alignment when the binder is viewed in end elevation. Thesheets used in legal services are generally of cheap, thin paper, andthe arcuate alignment of the prongs prevents tearing of the sheetsadjacent the punched holes through which the prongs must move.

The latching mechanism is shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inelusive. bar 32,secured to the back plate 4 in any suitable manner, as, for example, byrivets 33, is offset, as indicated at 34, to position the free end ofthe latch in a plane just above the plane of the top surface of theabutments 3 and 9. The resilience of the latch holds the free end 35juxtaposed against the top surface of the abutments. The free end 35 isprovided with an aperture 36 adapted to fit over the pin 31 when theback plates 3 and 4 are in their closed position, as shown in Fig. 5,and prevent them from swinging upwardly around the hinge pintl-e 7.

A release rod 37 is held against the back plate 3 by a pair oflongitudinally aligned sleeves 33 and 39 which have lateral flanges 40and 41, respectively, secured to the plate 3 by rivets 42 and 43. Thesleeves 38 and 39 are spaced apart to form a gap in proximity to thelatch 32. The gap exposes the portion of the release rod 37 whichextends under the free end 35 of the latch. The portion of the releaserod positioned beneath the free end 35 of the latch is bent angularly,as indicated at 44. The outer end of the rod 37 is bent to form a handle45 adjacent one end of the sleeve 38 to facilitate manipulation of therod and also to prevent longitudinal dis placement of the rod in onedirection. The opposite end of the rod is bent against one end of thesleeve 39, as indicated at 46, to prevent longitudinal displacement ofthe rod 37 in the opposite direction.

Rotation of the rod 37 causes theangularly bent por- A resilient latchin the form of a transverse tion 44 to raise the free end 35 of thelatch to disengage the latch aperture 36 from the pin 31 to permittheback plates 3 and 4 to move pivotally about the hinge pintle 7 to openthe binder. The sheet retaining mechanism may be closed by lifting thecovers and pressing them inwardly against the prongs 26. The sheetretaining mechanism may also be closed by grasping the covers 16 and 20and pulling them outwardly. In either case, the latch aperture 36 willmove into alignment with the pin 31 and the resilience of the latch willcause the aperture 36 to snap down over the pin 31 to latch the sheetretaining mechanism in closed position.

The binder as described above is an operative structure, but an outerback 47 is preferably provided to enhance the appearance of the binderand to protect the surface of desks, upon which the binder may behandled, from the hinge sleeves 5 and 6. The outer back comprises twoseparate members 48 and 49 bound together in laterally spacedrelationship by a sheet 54 of fabric or leather adapted to harmonizewith the binding of the covers 16 and 20. The binding material providesa flexible hinge for the outer back.

The outer back members 48 and 49 each comprise a flat plate 51, alongitudinal flange 52, and a pair of end flanges 53. The end flangeseach have a slightly elongated slot 54-. Theends of the flanges it andill are provided with apertures 55 adapted to be aligned with the slots54 when the inner hack 2 is positioned in the outer back. Screws 56extending through the slots 54 are threaded into the apertures 5'5 tosecure the outer back in place. The slots 54 permit a slight lateralmovement of the screws 56 when the inner and outer backs are movedpivotally. This slight lateral movement of the screws 56 relative to theslots 54 is necessary because the pivotal movement of the outer back isaround a different pivot than the pivotal movement of the inner back.The outer back may be easily removed from or attached to the rest of thebinder stincture.

The fabric sheet 59 provides a convenient surface for lettering toidentify the binder. When the binder is opened, as shown in Fig. 10, thefabric 50 is folded loosely adjacent the hinge pintle 7 to preventcracks that would mar the appearance of the lettering on the outer back.An equalizing plate 57 is mounted on each end of the hinge pintle 7 toprevent the outer back members from moving unequally about the pivotformed by the flexible fabric 56. If one side of the outer back werepermitted to move more than the other side the fabric 50 might getcaught between the inner edge of one back plate and the flat portion ofthe other. In such event, the fabric 50 would be subjected to excessivewear, even though the hinge at the inner edges of the back plates 3 isoflset to provide space for the fabric to bend on a wide radius.

Each of the equalizing plates has an aperture 58 for mounting it on thehinge pintle 7 and a pin 59 projecting perpendicularly from each endthereof. Each end flange 53 has an aperture so into which one of thepins 59 is adapted to fit. The screws 56 secure the outer back members48 and 49 to the inner back so that the equalizing plates cannot bedisplaced when the hinge pintle 7 projects through the aperture 58 andthe pins 59 project through the apertures 60.

The equalizing plates 57 pull the inner edges of the outer back members48 and 49 upwardly equally and prevent the fabric 50 from bending at asharp angle when the outer back sections are moved into the openposition of the binder shown in Fig. 10. The oflset of the hinge lugs 5and 6, each of which depends from the inner longitudinal edge of itsback plate, spaces the inner surface of the back plates adjacent thehinge when the binder is in the position of Fig. 10 to allow plenty ofroom for the flexible hinge between the outer back sections andcooperates with the equalizing plates .57 to prevent a sharp bend in thefabric 50. The absencerof ashaip to be restricted to the exactconstruction described, ex-

cept as limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A loose leaf binder comprising two inner back plates, a hinge pintlesecuring said inner back plates in pivotal relationship, two outer backplates secured to said inner back plates, a flexible binding materialconnecting said outer back plates, and an equalizing plate secured tosaid hinge pintle and each of said outer back plates to keep said outerback plates spaced equally from said hinge pintle when said inner backplates are moved pivotally about said hinge pintle to open or close saidbinder.

2. A loose leaf binder comprising an outer back having two outer backplates, a flexible binding material connecting said outer back plates,an end flange extending perpendicularly to each end of each of said backplates, two inner back plates positioned in said outer back in edge toedge relationship, a hinge pintle pivotally securing said inner backplates together, an end flange extending perpendicularly to each end ofeach of said inner back plates, each end flange of each inner back platebeing parallel to and adjacent an end flange of a corresponding outerback plate, means securing corresponding end flanges together, and anequalizing plate secured to said hinge pintle and each adjacent endflange of said outer back plate to keep said outer back plates spacedequally from said hinge pintle when said inner back plates are movedpivotally about said hinge pintle to open or close said binder.

3. A loose leaf binder comprising an outer back having two outer backplates, a flexible binding material connecting said outer back plates,an end flange extending perpendicularly to each end of each of said backplates, an aperture in each of said end flanges, two inner back platespositioned in said outer back, means securing said outer back platestosaid inner back plates, a hinge pintle pivotally securing said innerback plates together, an equalizing plate secured to each end of saidhinge pintle, and a pin projecting perpendicularly from each end of eachof said equalizing plates, each of said pins extending into one of saidapertures to keep said outer back plates spaced equally from said hingepintle when said inner back plates are moved pivotally about said hingepintle to open or close said binder.

4. A loose leaf binder having a pair of extruded inner back plateshaving integral hinge lugs projecting from each longitudinal edge, ahinge pintle extending through the hinge lugs on the inner longitudinaledges to hinge said inner back plates together along said innerlongitudinal edges, an integral depending flange extendinglongitudinally along the outer longitudinal edge of each of said plates,means for securing sheet retaining prongs to each of said flanges, anouter back fitting over said inner back plates, and means extendinglongitudinally of said binder for securing said outer back to the endsof said flanges.

5. A loose leaf binder having a pair of extruded inner back plateshaving integral hinge lugs projecting from each longitudinal edge, ahinge pintle extending through the hinge lugs on the inner longitudinaledges to hinge said inner back plates together along said innerlongitudinal edge, an integral depending flange extending longitudinallyalong the outer longitudinal edge of each of said plates, a dovetailedrecess extending longitudinally in each of said flanges, a plurality ofsheet retaining prongs each having one end extending into one of saidflanges, each of said prongs transversing one of said recesses, a splinefitting in each of said dovetailed recesses and engaging the prongstraversing said recesses to secure said sheet retaining prongs to eachof said flanges, an outer back fitting over said inner back plates, andmeans extending longitudinally of said binder for securing said outerback to the ends of said flanges.

6. A loose leaf binder having a pair of extruded inner back plateshinged together along one longitudinal edge, an integral flangeextending longitudinally along the outer longitudinal edge of each ofsaid plates, means for securing sheet retaining prongs to each of saidflanges, an outer back fitting over said inner back plates, said outerback comprising two outer back plates, means for securing the outerlongitudinal edges of said outer back plates to the ends of saidflanges, and an equalizing plate secured to the hinge connection betweensaid inner back plates and to the inner edge of each of said outer backplates to keep the outer back plates spaced from said hinge connection.

7. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of inner back plates having anoffset hinge along adjoining longitudinal edges, an outer back securedto said inner back plates, said outer back comprising a pair of outerback plates having spaced longitudinal edges secured together by afabric hinge, said oflset hinge being adapted to allow said inner backplates to swing about said offset hinge to open position, and anequalizer plate secured to said offset hinge and each ofsaid outer backplates to maintain uniform spaced relationship between said offset hingeand said spaced longitudinal edges of the outer back plates when saidinner back plates are swung about said offset hinge to prevent sharpbending of said fabric hinge.

8. A loose leaf binder comprising an inner back and an outer back eachprovided with a longitudinally extending center hinge, said outer backhaving upstanding flanges on each end, said flanges having slots, andmeans extending through said slots into engagement with said inner backto secure said outer back to said inner back, said slots permittingslight movement of said outer back relative to said inner back when bothof said backs are moved about said hinges.

9. A loose leaf binder comprising an inner back and an outer back eachprovided with a longitudinally extending center hinge, said inner backhaving depending flanges extending longitudinally along its outer edges,each of said flanges having an aperture in each end, said outer backhaving flanges at each end, said flanges each having a slot adapted toregister with said apertures, screws extending through each of saidslotsand into the aligned aperture to permit simultaneous pivotal movement ofsaid inner and outer backs about said hinges, and abutments on saidinner back adjacent its center hinge to prevent pivotal movement of theinner longitudinal edges of said inner back section below the horizontalplane of the closed position of said inner back.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS697,571 Trussell Apr. 15, 1902 995,035 Schultze June 13, 1911 1,391,780Krag Sept. 27, 1921 2,129,224 Martin Sept. 6, 1938 2,661,004 Ehlke Dec.1, 1953

